CONSTRUCTION OF ILOILO CITY'S HOS’ Whereas, the Ex-Barangay Captains of Lapuz District of the City of Iloilo are fully committed to their shared advocacy and vision to bring great progress and robust economic growth to Lloilo City: Whereas, taking note of its impressive commercial development, historical significance, vibrant economy and booming tourism industry, the City of Tloilo has been chosen by the national government to be one of the host cities of the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting: Whereas, APEC is considered as the world’s premier intergovernmental forum composed of 21 member nations which account for approximately 55 percent of the world's total GDP, 44 percent of world trade and 40 percent of the world's total population; Whereas, the member economies of APEC are fully committed to facilitate improved cooperation and economic growth within the Asia-Pacific region; Whereas, the Iloilo Convention Center, located in the Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Tloilo City, is a highly anticipated national government project which will serve as the venue of the Iloilo City APEC ministerial meeting and numerous other future conventions and events, allowing the City of Lloilo to host a myriad of large-scale and high profile international and national forums and gatherings; Whereas, through the support of the national government headed by His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III, and through the efforts of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, the Iloilo Convention Center will be completed in 2015 in time for the city's hosting of the APEC Ministerial meeting:Whereas, the City of Iloilo is grateful for the support of Senate President Drilon and of the national government agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Tourism, for the construction of the Lloilo Convention Center: Whereas, the selection of Iloilo City as one of the host cities of the 2015 APEC Ministerial Meeting has brought great pride and joy to the people of the City and Province of Iloilo, as the selection of Lloilo City validates its status as one of the most progressive and highly developed urban centers in the Philippines; Whereas, the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center is one of the main reasons why Iloilo City was selected to host the APEC ministerial meeting, as it provides the city with a sprawling, modern and remarkable venue which could accommodate a large host of delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region; Whereas, controversies raised through uncorroborated claims have been circulated, questioning the construction cost of the Tloilo Convention Center: Whereas, the issues on the alleged anomalies and over-cost of the Tloilo Convention Center have been mainly used as part of political chicanery and mudslinging by bickering political groups; Whereas, upon consultation with their constituents and with the various organizations in Iloilo City, including the leaders of the business sectors, the elected leaders of the City of Iloilo, echoing the sentiments of the people of the city, strongly support the unhampered construction of the Tloilo Convention Center; Whereas, the people of Iloilo City recognize the tremendous benefits to the city's economy and tourism industry of hosting the APEC ministerial meeting, and they have firmly supported and lobbied for the selection of Iloilo City as. one of the venues for the highly anticipated 2015 meeting;Whereas, the City of Iloilo appeals to everyone across the nation’s diverse political spectrum to insulate our city and the APEC ministerial meeting from political bickering and mudslinging: Now therefore, the elected leaders of the City of Lloilo who have hereunder signed this Manifesto do hereby declare their support for the construction of the Tloilo Convention Center and Lloilo City’s hosting of the 2015 APEC Ministerial Meeting. Brgy. Jalan! GO} EDO ZEPEDA Brg. Loboc, Lapuz RI BUEND! RI (GUILLO Bry jalasan, Lapuz, Brgy.'Loboe, Lapuz